Altium Sell Spring Hill, Tennessee. September 2022.
Courtesy: Ultium Cells LLC
Joint venture between Ultium cells General Motors LG Energy Solutions said on Monday it will upgrade its Spring Hill, Tennessee facility to create low-cost electric vehicle battery cells.
According to GM, lithium iron phosphate battery cells (LFP omitted based on the chemical symbols of the element) may be significantly cheaper than the battery packs used in some EVs.
“This upgrade at Spring Hill will expand the production of low-cost LFP cell technology in the US, complementing high-nickel and future lithium manganese rich solutions and further diversifying our growing EV portfolio,” said Kurt Kelty, vice president of battery, promotion and sustainability at GM during the release.
The GM lineup includes 12 EVs, with price ranges ranging from around $35,000 to over $300,000.
The Detroit automaker collaborated with LG to invest $2.3 billion in a Tennessee battery plant when it was announced in 2021. The company said Monday’s announcement was based on the partnership, but it did not disclose additional amounts for the upgrade.
Ultium said it expects commercial production of LFP cells to begin by the second half of 2027.
The announcement comes as GM is working on a different type of new battery technology for its biggest electric SUVs and trucks. Various EV battery chemicals affect any impact of any other needs, from the range and safety of EVs to energy efficiency and charging capabilities.
The same year GM and LG announced their investment in Tennessee, GM CEO said that GM would offer exclusive EVs by 2035. At the time, she said the company would invest $35 billion between 2020 and 2025, but GM said customer demand was slower than expected, and EVs had not directed total investments.
